George's Friendly Auto Service, Inc.

Georges Friendly Auto Service inspected front of motor for noise. George's found middle timing cover installed incorrectly, harmonic balancer bolts (3) missing. All Data labor estimating guide calls for 2.6 hours. No excess labor was applied. This repair would not have taken place if it was...

performed professionally in the first place. George's recommends [redacted] seek refund from original shop due to their negligence. Thank you for your concern.

Review: I brought my truck to George at George's Friendly Auto Service for a repair. I spoke with George and one of his employees. They both told me that to diagnose my problem would cost $85.00. They could not figure out the issue so George wanted to charge me an additional $127.50. I was told by both George and his employee that the cost would be $85.00. But because of their incompetence they wanted to break our agreement and charge me more. George was very unprofessional and rude. One of his employees apologized for me getting incorrect information but there was nothing that he could do. In the end, I had to pay $85.00 and the same problem still exists with my vehicle. When I questions George about his dishonesty, he simply told me that I should have known that there would be an additional cost regardless of what he and his employee told me.Desired Settlement: I would George to apologize and either refund my money or fix the problem that he gave his word he would do.

Business

Response:

Mr. [redacted] brought his vehicle in for diagnosis and was given an estimate of $85. After two hours were spent, Mr. [redacted] was contacted for a revised estimate. Mr. [redacted] declined further diagnoses needed. George tried to explain the state of California's law as per estimates and revised estimates. Mr. [redacted] was unwilling to participate and be educated on what the word "estimate" means. George's Friendly Auto Service will not refund the $85 for the diagnosic and recommends Mr. [redacted] take his vehicle elsewhere so further education may be obtained. Thanks for your concern.

Review: I took my 2004 VW beetle to George's while traveling through Lincoln, CA. I had had the timing belt replaced two days earlier by my mechanic at home. Now, I was hearing a loud rattling sound. George said he could look at it and I knew it might be costly, but I told him to go ahead. When I retrieved the car after one afternoon and part of one morning in his shop, the diagnosis was 3 missing bolts on the harmonic balancer. Three of the four bolts were replaced and the noise resolved. I paid $376, the charge for 2.7 hours of shop time and $5 for parts. When I returned home, I consulted my mechanic. He said that the missing bolts would have been visible and replaceable in a 20 min time period. The 2.7 hr charge listed in the manual was the charge for removing and replacing the main bolt holding on the timing belt pulley. A simple inspection would have determined that there should not be such an exorbitant charge, as that main bolt was in place, torqued down and loc-tited in! George charged me for work that was obviously not needed! A charge of $100 plus $5 parts is closer to what I should have been charged. Therefore, I believe I should be refunded $271.Desired Settlement: George's Friendly Auto Service should refund me $271, retaining only the amount for one hour of shop time and $5 for parts (based on $100/hr for shoptime).

Business

Response:

Georges Friendly Auto Service inspected front of motor for noise. George's found middle timing cover installed incorrectly, harmonic balancer bolts (3) missing. All Data labor estimating guide calls for 2.6 hours. No excess labor was applied. This repair would not have taken place if it was performed professionally in the first place. George's recommends [redacted] seek refund from original shop due to their negligence. Thank you for your concern.